Space‐age children

One of the more dramatic spinoff benefits from NASA research is a space suit to help children with rare diseases venture into the daylight without being harmed. On April 19, 6‐year‐old Mikie Walker of Virginia became the first American child to receive a modified “space suit” that protects him from nearly all of the Sun's ultraviolet rays and other light sources. Mikie has porphyria, a genetic disorder that causes extreme and potentially dangerous sunlight sensitivity that can result in chronic skin inflammation, blistering, inflammation of nerves, abdominal pain, and other disturbances. For some children with light sensitivity disorders, even a 40‐watt light bulb can be dangerous.